Results

Check for Yourself!

All across Antigua & Barbuda, the United Progressive Party is getting the job done and delivering results for the people. On this UPP Train, Antigua and Barbuda is moving in the right direction. This country is moving forward on the right track that leads to success and prosperity and takes our people far, far away from that dilapidated red house which is infested with abysmal failures.

National Results

  • Enacted Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance Reforms. This includes three pieces of legislation, the Prevention of Corruption Act, the Freedom of Information Act and the Integrity in Public Life Act to crack down on corruption and make sure Government is putting people first.
  • Presiding over Strong Economic Growth. Under the last ALP Government, from 1999-2003, our economic growth averaged 3.2%. From 2004-2008, under the UPP Sunshine Government, we averaged a whopping 6.9% growth rate. Foreign direct investment was also up from $230 million for 1999-2003 to a huge $715 million for 2004-2007.
  • Creating Good Paying Jobs. Fixed deposits averaged $824.15 million from 2004-2007, up from $591.4 million from 1999-2003. This represents indisputable evidence that a number of jobs created and the increase in incomes for the people of this country due to the economic growth achieved under the Sunshine Government.
  • Created Higher Education Opportunities for Students through the National Student Loan Fund. Under this Fund, Antiguan and Barbudan students who were eighteen years and older had the opportunity to receive a loan of up to $50,000 at an interest rate of 3 percent per annum.
  • Enabling More Home Ownership, Construction and Upgrades. From 1999 to 2003, credit for the acquisition of property averaged $387.2 million. Between 2004 and 2007, this average increased by over 51 percent to $586.5 million. The UPP Government also reduced residential taxes through a reduction of the stamp duty.
  • Delivering the Lowest Gas Prices in the Region by subsidising the price of gasoline. For example, in July 2008, the Government was subsidising the price of gasoline by $2.70 per gallon. The residents of Antigua and Barbuda continue to enjoy the lowest price in the OECS.
  • Combating the International Food Price Increase by reducing tariffs and customs taxes on food.
  • Encouraging Business Growth & Construction. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of applications for commercial construction averaged about 125 per year. This is some 119 percent greater than the 57 applications in 2003.
  • Inflation Remains the Lowest in the Region at just 3.2%
  • Reducing the Deficit and the Debt. The deficit averaged $121.4 million for the period 1999-2003, under the ALP Government. On the other hand, under the stewardship of the Sunshine Government, the current account deficit contracted considerably to an average of $70.2 million over the period 2004-2008. We were also able to eliminate over $680 million in debt and realised over $500 million in savings for the people of this country.
  • Eliminated Twelve Taxes including the Consumption Tax, Customs Service Tax, Entertainment Tax, Loan Tax, Radio/TV Tax, Dog Licenses Tax, Hotel Tax, Hotel Guest Tex, Hotel Guest Tax, Restaurant & Catering Tax and the Telecommunications Tax.
  • Provided Property Tax Relief. Senior citizens pay no tax on the first $100,000 worth of property.
  • 70% of Antiguans & Barbudans Do Not Pay Personal Income Tax.
  • Constructing Roads Across Antigua & Barbuda. Spent $430 million to construct and upgrade roads across Antigua and Barbuda.
  • Reducing Poverty. Helped nearly 450 elderly with care and 75 people own homes for the first time. And, we helped 17,000 people with the “Dollar Barrel” during Christmas.
  • Created the Basket of Essential Goods that makes 177 essential goods tax free.
  • Implemented School Uniform Grants & National School Meals Programmes to relieve a burden on our working families.
  • Increased the Minimum Wage. Government boosted the minimum wage from $6 / hour to $7.50 / hour.
  • Providing Relief for Pensioners. Government increased the minimum pension considerably and provided immediate relief to the poorest pensioners immediately upon taking office. In 2003, many pensioners made no more than $250 a month. Today, a considerable number of pensions are now receiving the aggregate minimum pension of $1,150 per month!
  • Paying Civil Servants. A hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay and we took on the Herculean task of providing owed back pay to our civil servants for over $100 million.
  • Helping Bus & Taxi Drivers through a 50 percent reduction in the duty applicable to selected parts for passenger vehicles operated by taxi drivers, bus drivers and tour operators.

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